A method of adjusting line data is provided, where a dot pattern for one line is represented by dot data indicative of dot formation and blank data indicative of no dot formation. The method includes: determining whether X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, the X or more blank data including adjacent blank data adjacent to dot data on at least one side of the dot data, where X is an integer greater than or equal to one (X≧1); and converting Y consecutive blank data including the adjacent blank data into dot data if it is determined that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively in the determining step, where Y is an integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to X (X≧Y≧1).
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1. A method of adjusting line data, the method being performed by a processing device that processes image data for forming dots of toner on a recording medium, based on line data representing a dot pattern for one line by dot data indicative of dot formation and blank data indicative of no dot formation, the method comprising: determining whether X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, the X or more blank data including adjacent blank data adjacent to dot data on at least one side of the dot data, where X is an integer greater than one (X≧1); and converting Y blank data including the adjacent blank data into dot data if it is determined that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively in the determining step, where Y is an integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to X (X≧Y≧1), wherein when Y is greater than one, the Y blank data are consecutive blank data, wherein adjustments are performed for each pixel that includes a predetermined number of consecutive data, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, the method further comprising: acquiring consecutive data for one pixel from the line data sequentially, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data; and storing the consecutive data for one pixel in a storage section as a subject pixel, wherein the determining step further includes determining whether X or more blank data are arranged consecutively on a next pixel side of next-side dot data based on a present subject pixel and on a next pixel acquired in the acquiring step, the next-side dot data being closest to the next pixel among dot data in the present subject pixel; and wherein the converting step further includes, if it is determined in the determining step that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, converting, into dot data, Y blank data including next-side blank data in the present subject pixel and adjacent to the next-side dot data on the next pixel side thereof.
A method for improving toner dot placement in printing adjusts line data (representing a line of dots) by identifying gaps. It checks if X or more consecutive blank data points (no dot) exist, including blanks next to existing dots. If found, it converts Y (where Y is less than or equal to X) consecutive blanks into dots. This is done pixel-by-pixel, storing the pixel's dot/blank data. When checking for blank runs, it considers the current pixel and the next, looking at blanks next to the closest dot in the current pixel and filling in Y number of the blanks on the next pixel side.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein, in the determining step, if blank data are adjacent to dot data on both of one side and another side of the dot data, determination is made for blank data on each of the both sides.
In the dot placement adjustment method of CLAIM 1, when a dot has blanks on both sides, the check for consecutive blanks (X or more) is performed independently on each side of the dot.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the determining step further includes determining whether Y or more blank data are arranged, within the present subject pixel, on the next pixel side of the next-side dot data if it is determined in the determining step that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, wherein when Y is greater than one, the Y or more blank data are consecutive blank data; and wherein the converting step further includes, if it is determined that the Y or more blank data are arranged within the present subject pixel, converting Y blank data on the next pixel side of the next-side dot data into first dot data.
Building upon the dot placement method in CLAIM 1, after identifying X or more consecutive blanks, it further checks if Y or more blanks exist *within* the current pixel on the side facing the next pixel. If so, those Y blanks are converted into dots within the current pixel.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the determining step further includes determining whether Y or more blank data are arranged, within the present subject pixel, on the next pixel side of the next-side dot data if it is determined in the determining step that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, wherein when Y is greater than one, the Y or more blank data are consecutive blank data; and wherein the converting step further includes, if it is determined that the Y or more blank data are not arranged within the present subject pixel, converting all blank data on the next pixel side of the next-side dot data within the present subject pixel into first dot data and, at next conversion where the next pixel is a subject pixel, converting, into second dot data, conversion blank data including present-side blank data in the next pixel and adjacent to the present subject pixel, a number of the conversion blank data being Y minus a number of the all blank data converted into the first dot data, wherein when a number of the conversion blank data is greater than one, the conversion blank data are consecutive blank data.
Building upon the dot placement method in CLAIM 1, after identifying X or more consecutive blanks, it checks if Y or more blanks exist *within* the current pixel on the side facing the next pixel. If not enough blanks exist in the current pixel to convert Y of them, then all blanks on the next pixel side of the current pixel are converted to dots. Then, when the next pixel is processed, the remaining blanks needed to fulfill the conversion of Y blanks (Y minus the number already converted in the previous pixel) are converted to dots in the *next* pixel, converting adjacent blank data on the present subject pixel side.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein adjustments are performed for each pixel that includes a predetermined number of consecutive data, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, the method further comprising: acquiring consecutive data for one pixel from the line data sequentially, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, wherein the determining step further includes determining based on the line data for which conversion of determined pixel in the converting step is not reflected.
Building upon the dot placement method in CLAIM 1, the blank-to-dot adjustments are performed pixel by pixel, acquiring consecutive dot and blank data for each pixel. The determination of whether to convert blanks to dots is based on the original line data and does not take into account any conversions already made in earlier pixels.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an island is defined as one or more consecutive dot data, and blank data are arranged between one island and another island; and wherein, as a result that the blank data adjacent to the one island on another island side are converted into dot data, if the blank data adjacent to the another island on one island side are converted to dot data which causes the one island and the another island to become closer than a certain degree or to become connected, then the blank data adjacent to the another island are not converted into dot data.
In the dot placement adjustment method of CLAIM 1, a group of consecutive dots is considered an "island." Blank data separates islands. If converting blanks next to one island would cause it to merge or get too close to another island, then the blanks near the second island will not be converted to dots, preventing unwanted connections.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein adjustments are performed for each pixel that includes a predetermined number of consecutive data, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, the method further comprising: acquiring consecutive data for one pixel from the line data sequentially, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data; adding blank data to front and rear of the consecutive data for the pixel acquired in the acquiring step, thereby obtaining an extended pixel; calculating exclusive OR of data adjacent to each other in the extended pixel; and prohibiting the adjustments from being performed if a number of TRUE included in a result of the calculating step is greater than a certain number.
Building upon the dot placement method in CLAIM 1, blank data are added to the beginning and end of each pixel's data, creating an "extended pixel." An exclusive OR (XOR) operation is performed on each pair of adjacent data points in this extended pixel. If the number of TRUE results from the XOR operations exceeds a certain threshold, then the dot adjustment process is skipped for that pixel to avoid unintended consequences of conversion.
8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising changing at least one of X and Y.
The dot placement method of CLAIM 1 allows dynamically changing the values of X (the minimum number of consecutive blanks to trigger conversion) and Y (the number of blanks to convert) during the process.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the line data includes high-resolution line data for forming dots in high resolution and low-resolution line data for forming dots in low resolution; and wherein no adjustments are performed for the low-resolution line data.
The dot placement method of CLAIM 1 is applied selectively. It is applied to high-resolution line data (for fine dot placement) but is skipped for low-resolution line data, presumably because adjustments are less critical at lower resolutions.
10. A method of adjusting line data, the method being performed by a processing device that processes image data for forming dots of toner on a recording medium, based on line data representing a dot pattern for one line by dot data indicative of dot formation and blank data indicative of no dot formation, the method comprising: determining whether X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, the X or more blank data including adjacent blank data adjacent to dot data on at least one side of the dot data, where X is an integer greater than one (X>1); and converting Y blank data including the adjacent blank data into dot data if it is determined that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively in the determining step, where Y is an integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to X (X≧Y≧1), wherein when Y is greater than one, the Y blank data are consecutive blank data, wherein adjustments are performed for each pixel that includes a predetermined number of consecutive data, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, the method further comprising: acquiring consecutive data for one pixel from the line data sequentially, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data; and storing the consecutive data for one pixel in a storage section as a subject pixel, wherein the determining step further includes determining whether X or more blank data are arranged consecutively on a present subject pixel side of present-side dot data based on a present subject pixel and on a next pixel acquired in the acquiring step, the present-side dot data being closest to the present subject pixel among dot data in the next pixel; and wherein the converting step further includes, if it is determined in the determining step that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, at next conversion where the next pixel is a subject pixel, converting, into dot data, Y blank data including present-side blank data in the next pixel and adjacent to the present-side dot data on the present subject pixel side thereof.
A method for improving toner dot placement in printing adjusts line data (representing a line of dots) by identifying gaps. It checks if X or more consecutive blank data points (no dot) exist, including blanks next to existing dots. If found, it converts Y (where Y is less than or equal to X) consecutive blanks into dots. This is done pixel-by-pixel, storing the pixel's dot/blank data. When checking for blank runs, it considers the current pixel and the next, looking at blanks next to the closest dot in the next pixel and filling in Y number of the blanks on the present subject pixel side in the *next* pixel.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the determining step further includes determining whether Y or more blank data are arranged, within the next pixel, on the present subject pixel side of the present-side dot data if it is determined in the determining step that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, wherein when Y is greater than one, the Y or more blank data are consecutive blank data; and wherein the converting step further includes, if it is determined that the Y or more blank data are arranged within the next pixel, at the next conversion, converting Y blank data on the present subject pixel side of the present-side dot data into third dot data.
Building upon the dot placement method in CLAIM 10, after identifying X or more consecutive blanks, it further checks if Y or more blanks exist *within* the *next* pixel on the side facing the *present* pixel. If so, those Y blanks are converted into dots within the next pixel in the *next* conversion.
12. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the determining step further includes determining whether Y or more blank data are arranged, within the next pixel, on the present subject pixel side of the present-side dot data if it is determined in the determining step that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, wherein when Y is greater than one, the Y or more blank data are consecutive blank data; and wherein the converting step further includes, if it is determined that the Y or more blank data are not arranged within the next pixel, converting, into fourth dot data, conversion blank data including next-side blank data in the present subject pixel and adjacent to the next pixel, a number of the conversion blank data being Y minus a number of blank data to be converted into third dot data and, at the next conversion, converting all blank data on the present subject pixel side of the present-side dot data into the third dot data, wherein when a number of the conversion blank data is greater than one, the conversion blank data are consecutive blank data.
Building upon the dot placement method in CLAIM 10, after identifying X or more consecutive blanks, it checks if Y or more blanks exist *within* the *next* pixel on the side facing the *present* pixel. If not enough blanks exist in the *next* pixel to convert Y of them, then all the blanks on the present subject pixel side of the next pixel are converted to dots. Then, any remaining blanks needed to fulfill the conversion of Y blanks (Y minus the number already converted in the next pixel) are converted to dots in the *present* pixel, converting adjacent blank data on the next pixel side.
13. An image forming apparatus that forms dots of toner on a recording medium, based on line data representing a dot pattern for one line by dot data indicative of dot formation and blank data indicative of no dot formation, comprising: a determining section that determines whether X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, the X or more blank data including adjacent blank data adjacent to dot data on at least one side of the dot data, where X is an integer greater than one (X≧1); and a converting section that converts Y blank data including the adjacent blank data into dot data if the determining section determines that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, where Y is an integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to X (X≧Y≧1), wherein when Y is greater than one, the Y blank data are consecutive blank data, wherein adjustments are performed for each pixel that includes a predetermined number of consecutive data, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, the apparatus further comprising: an acquiring section that acquires consecutive data for one pixel from the line data sequentially, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data; and a storage section that stores the consecutive data for one pixel as a subject pixel, wherein the determining section determines whether X or more blank data are arranged consecutively on a next pixel side of next-side dot data based on a present subject pixel and on a next pixel acquired by the acquiring section, the next-side dot data being closest to the next pixel among dot data in the present subject pixel; and wherein, if the determining section determines that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, the converting section converts, into dot data, Y blank data including next-side blank data in the present subject pixel and adjacent to the next-side dot data on the next pixel side thereof.
An image forming apparatus (e.g., a printer) adjusts line data representing dots by identifying gaps. A determining section checks if X or more consecutive blank data points exist, including blanks next to existing dots. A converting section converts Y (less than or equal to X) consecutive blanks into dots. This is done pixel-by-pixel, storing the pixel's dot/blank data in a storage section. The determining section considers the current and next pixels, checking for blanks next to the closest dot in the current pixel. If blanks are found, the converting section fills in Y number of the blanks on the next pixel side.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein, in the determining section, if blank data are adjacent to dot data on both of one side and another side of the dot data, determination is made for blank data on each of the both sides.
In the image forming apparatus of CLAIM 13, the determining section independently checks for consecutive blanks on each side of a dot if it has blanks on both sides.
15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein an island is defined as one or more consecutive dot data, and blank data are arranged between one island and another island; and wherein, if the determining section determines that, as a result that the blank data adjacent to the one island on another island side are converted into dot data, if the blank data adjacent to the another island on one island side are converted to dot data which causes the one island and the another island to become closer than a certain degree or to become connected, then the converting section does not convert the blank data adjacent to the another island into dot data.
In the image forming apparatus of CLAIM 13, the determining section identifies groups of consecutive dots as "islands" separated by blank data. If converting blanks next to one island would cause it to merge or get too close to another island, the converting section prevents the conversion of blanks near the second island.
16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein adjustments are performed for each pixel that includes a predetermined number of consecutive data, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, the apparatus further comprising: an acquiring section that acquires consecutive data for one pixel from the line data sequentially, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, wherein the determining section adds blank data to front and rear of the consecutive data for the pixel acquired by the acquiring section, thereby obtaining an extended pixel, calculates exclusive OR of data adjacent to each other in the extended pixel; and prohibits the adjustments from being performed if a number of TRUE included in a calculated result is greater than a certain number.
In the image forming apparatus of CLAIM 13, blank data are added to the beginning and end of each pixel's data (extended pixel). The determining section calculates the exclusive OR (XOR) of adjacent data points. The apparatus prevents adjustments if the number of TRUE results exceeds a threshold.
17. An image forming apparatus that forms dots of toner on a recording medium, based on line data representing a dot pattern for one line by dot data indicative of dot formation and blank data indicative of no dot formation, comprising: a determining section that determines whether X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, the X or more blank data including adjacent blank data adjacent to dot data on at least one side of the dot data, where X is an integer greater than one (X>1); and a converting section that converts Y blank data including the adjacent blank data into dot data if the determining section determines that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, where Y is an integer greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to X (X≧Y≧1), wherein when Y is greater than one, the Y blank data are consecutive blank data, wherein adjustments are performed for each pixel that includes a predetermined number of consecutive data, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, the apparatus further comprising: an acquiring section that acquires consecutive data for one pixel from the line data sequentially, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data; and a storage section that stores the consecutive data for one pixel as a subject pixel, wherein the determining section determines whether X or more blank data are arranged consecutively on a present subject pixel side of present-side dot data based on a present subject pixel and on a next pixel acquired by the acquiring section, the present-side dot data being closest to the present subject pixel among dot data in the next pixel; and wherein, if the determining section determines that the X or more blank data are arranged consecutively, at next conversion where the next pixel is a subject pixel, the converting section converts, into dot data, Y blank data including present-side blank data in the next pixel and adjacent to the present-side dot data on the present subject pixel side thereof.
An image forming apparatus adjusts line data representing dots by identifying gaps. A determining section checks if X or more consecutive blank data points exist, including blanks next to existing dots. A converting section converts Y (less than or equal to X) consecutive blanks into dots. This is done pixel-by-pixel, storing the pixel's dot/blank data. The determining section considers the current and next pixels, checking for blanks next to the closest dot in the next pixel. If blanks are found, the converting section fills in Y number of the blanks on the present subject pixel side in the *next* pixel.
18. A method of adjusting line data, the method being performed by a processing device that processes image data for forming dots of toner on a recording medium, based on line data representing a dot pattern for one line by dot data indicative of dot formation and blank data indicative of no dot formation, the method comprising: determining whether one blank data is arranged adjacent to dot data on at least one side of the dot data, the one blank data being adjacent blank data; and converting the adjacent blank data into dot data if it is determined that the one blank data is arranged adjacent to the dot data in the determining step, wherein an island is defined as one or more consecutive dot data, and blank data are arranged between one island and another island; and wherein, as a result that the blank data adjacent to the one island on another island side are converted into dot data, if the blank data adjacent to the another island on one island side are converted to dot data which causes the one island and the another island to become closer that a certain degree or to become connected, then the blank data adjacent to the another island are not converted into dot data.
A method improves toner dot placement by converting individual blanks next to dots into dots. A check determines if a blank data point is adjacent to a dot. If so, it's converted. However, if doing so would cause one "island" (consecutive dots) to merge or get too close to another, the conversion is skipped for blanks near the second island.
19. A method of adjusting line data, the method being performed by a processing device that processes image data for forming dots of toner on a recording medium, based on line data representing a dot pattern for one line by dot data indicative of dot formation and blank data indicative of no dot formation, the method comprising: determining whether one blank data is arrange adjacent to dot data on at least one side of the dot data, the one blank data being adjacent blank data; and converting the adjacent blank data into dot data if it is determined that the one blank data is arranged adjacent to the dot data in the determining step, wherein adjustments are performed for each pixel that includes a predetermined number of consecutive data, each of the consecutive data being one of dot data and blank data, the method further comprising: acquiring consecutive data for one pixel from the line data sequentially, each of the consecutive data being one dot data and blank data; adding blank data to front and rear of the consecutive data for the pixel acquired in the acquiring step, thereby obtaining an extended pixel; calculating exclusive OR of data adjacent to each other in the extended pixel; and prohibiting the adjustments from being performed if a number of TRUE included in a result of the calculating step is greater than a certain number.
A method improves toner dot placement by converting individual blanks next to dots into dots. A check determines if a blank data point is adjacent to a dot. If so, it's converted. To avoid unintended consequences, blank data is added to the beginning and end of each pixel (extended pixel). The exclusive OR (XOR) of adjacent data points is calculated. If the number of TRUE results exceeds a threshold, the conversion is skipped for that pixel.
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February 28, 2011
September 17, 2013
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